The 1911 is a classic pistol design that has been in use for over a century. It has seen action in various wars and has been used extensively in law enforcement, personal protection, and shooting sports. One of the features that make the 1911 so popular is its manual safety, which allows the shooter to safely carry the gun with a round in the chamber. In recent years, ambidextrous safeties have become increasingly popular, making the 1911 more accessible to left-handed shooters. In this blog, we will discuss the different types of ambidextrous safeties for the 1911.
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Ambidextrous Thumb Safety - The ambidextrous thumb safety is the most common type of ambidextrous safety for the 1911. It allows the shooter to manipulate the safety from either side of the gun. This type of safety can be installed as an aftermarket upgrade to a standard 1911, or it can be included as a factory option on some models.
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Ambidextrous Extended Thumb Safety - The ambidextrous extended thumb safety is similar to the standard ambidextrous thumb safety, but it has an extended thumb pad on both sides of the gun. This provides a larger surface area for the shooter to engage the safety, making it easier to manipulate.
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Ambidextrous Swivel Safety - The ambidextrous swivel safety is a unique type of ambidextrous safety that is designed for left-handed shooters. It features a swivel mechanism that allows the shooter to engage and disengage the safety using their index finger. This type of safety is not as common as the ambidextrous thumb safety or extended thumb safety.
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Ambidextrous Grip Safety - The ambidextrous grip safety is a unique type of ambidextrous safety that is built into the grip of the gun. It features a lever on both sides of the gun that must be depressed before the trigger can be pulled. This type of safety is not as common as the ambidextrous thumb safety or extended thumb safety.
The 1911 is a classic pistol design that has been popular for over a century. With the increasing popularity of ambidextrous safeties, the 1911 has become more accessible to left-handed shooters. The different types of ambidextrous safeties include the ambidextrous thumb safety, ambidextrous extended thumb safety, ambidextrous swivel safety, and ambidextrous grip safety. Each type of safety has its own unique advantages and disadvantages, and it is up to the shooter to decide which one is best for their needs.
